12A-16.002. Imposition and Payment of the Surcharge

(1) Definitions. For the purposes of this rule chapter, the following definitions will apply.

(a) The term “car-sharing service” has the same meaning as provided in Section 212.0606, F.S.

(b) The term “day” means 24 consecutive hours.

(c)1. The term “for-hire passenger motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed to carry fewer than nine passengers and is leased or rented for financial consideration without transfer of title, regardless of whether the motor vehicle is registered in Florida.

2. The term does not include any motorcycle, moped, truck, truck trailer, travel trailer, camping trailer, recreational vehicle with living facilities, or van conversion.

3. “For-hire passenger motor vehicles” are rented or leased through a motor vehicle rental company or available for use by members of a car-sharing service.

(d) The term “motor vehicle rental company” has the same meaning as provided in Section 212.0606, F.S.

(e) The term “peer-to-peer car-sharing program” has the same meaning as provided in Section 627.7483(1), F.S.

(f)1. The term “shared vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is designed to carry fewer than nine passengers for consideration without transferring the title and is registered in Florida.

2. The term does not include for-hire motor vehicles, as defined in paragraph (c), or motor vehicles used for ridesharing or carpools.

3. Shared vehicles are offered for use through a peer-to-peer car-sharing program.

(2) Under Section 212.0606(2), F.S., a surcharge of $2.00 per day or any part of a day is imposed upon the lease or rental of a for-hire passenger motor vehicle by a motor vehicle rental company. The surcharge must be collected by the motor vehicle rental company.

(a) The surcharge applies to the first 30 days of the lease or rental of a for-hire passenger motor vehicle.

(b) When the terms of a lease or rental agreement authorize the lessee to extend the lease or rental beyond the initial lease term without executing an additional lease or agreement and without any action on the part of the lessor, the extension period will not be considered a new lease or rental.

(c) When the terms of a lease or rental agreement require the lessee to execute an additional lease or agreement or require any action on the part of the lessor, the additional days during the extension period will be considered a new lease or rental.

(d) The surcharge imposed upon the lease or rental of a for-hire passenger motor vehicle is subject to sales tax and discretionary sales surtax.

(3)(a) Under Section 212.0606(3), F.S., a surcharge of $1.00 per day or any part of a day is imposed upon each peer-to-peer car-sharing program agreement involving a shared vehicle under Section 212.0606(3), F.S. The surcharge must be collected by the peer-to-peer car-sharing program.

(b) If the car-sharing period is less than 24 hours, then the surcharge is $1.00 per use.

(c) The surcharge applies to the first 30 days of a car-sharing period.

(d) The surcharge imposed upon a peer-to-peer car-sharing agreement is subject to sales tax and discretionary sales surtax.

(4)(a) Under Section 212.0606(4), F.S., a surcharge of $1.00 per usage is imposed when the for-hire passenger motor vehicle is used for less than 24 hours by a member of the car-sharing service. The surcharge must be collected by the car-sharing service.

(b) If the member uses the same motor vehicle for 24 hours or more, then the surcharge is $2.00 per day or any part of a day the motor vehicle is used.

(c) The surcharge does not apply to the lease, rental, or use of a motor vehicle from a location owned, operated, or leased by or for the benefit of an airport or an airport authority.

(5)(a) Motor Vehicle Leased or Rented by a Motor Vehicle Rental Company or through a Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing Program for Less Than 12 Months.

1. When a for-hire passenger motor vehicle is leased or rented in Florida, the lease or rental is subject to the rental car surcharge, even though the vehicle may be driven to another state or the lease or rental payment is made outside Florida.

2. When a for-hire passenger motor vehicle is leased or rented outside Florida, the lease or rental is not subject to the rental car surcharge, even though the vehicle may be driven into Florida or the lease or rental payment may be made in Florida.

(b) Motor Vehicle Leased or Rented for 12 Months or Longer.

1. When a for-hire passenger motor vehicle is leased or rented in Florida for a term of 12 months or longer, the rental car surcharge is due for the first 30 days.

2. When a for-hire passenger motor vehicle is leased or rented outside Florida for a term of 12 months or longer and the vehicle is registered, licensed, or titled in Florida, it is presumed subject to the rental car surcharge. This presumption may be rebutted only by documentary evidence that the vehicle was used outside Florida continuously for the first 30 days before being brought into Florida.

(6)(a) The surcharge is due as follows:

1. When the lease or rental payments are made to a motor vehicle rental company under the terms of the lease or rental agreements.

2. When payment for the usage of a shared vehicle is collected pursuant to a peer-to-peer car-sharing program agreement.

3. Per use of a motor vehicle through a car-sharing service regardless of payment or payment plans for membership or access to motor vehicles.

(b) The amount of the rental car surcharge is required to be separately stated on any charge ticket, invoice, or other tangible evidence of lease or rental and will be a debt from the lessee or renter to the dealer until paid.

(c) The surcharge does not apply to a for-hire passenger motor vehicle or shared vehicle when a replacement vehicle is provided at no charge to a person whose motor vehicle is being repaired, adjusted, or serviced by the entity providing the replacement motor vehicle.

(7) Any lessee who has leased or rented a for-hire passenger motor vehicle under the terms of a lease or rental agreement or car-sharing service membership or entered into a peer-to-peer car-sharing agreement and cannot prove that the rental car surcharge has been paid will be directly liable to the state for the surcharge and any interest or penalty due.

Rulemaking Authority 212.18(2), 213.06(1) FS. Law Implemented 212.05(1)(c), 212.06(1)(a), 212.0606, 212.07(2), (4), (8) FS. History–New 11-14-89, Amended 7-7-91, 5-19-93, 3-20-96, 9-28-04, 7-28-15, 5-23-22.